Synthesis, characterization and antiamoebic activity of benzimidazole derivatives and their vanadium and molybdenum complexes

Reaction of [MoO(()acac)(2)] (where, acac=acetyl acetone) and KVO3 with 2-(salicylidieneimine) benzimidazole lead to form new complexes [MoO2(sal-BMZ)(2)] and K [VO2(sal-BMZ)(2)] [where, sal-BMZ=2-(salicylidieneimine) benzimidazole], which showed the monobasic bidentate nature of the ligand in which the phenolic oxygen and the imine nitrogen of the ligand are coordinated to the metal ion. These complexes were characterized along with nine other complexes of oxoperoxovanadium (V), molybdenum (VI) and tungsten (VI) with benzimidazole derivatives and screened in vitro by micro dilution technique for their amoebicidal activity with a view to search for a more effective agent against Entamoeba histolytica suggests that compound 2 and 3 might be endowed with important antiamoebic properties since they showed IC50 values in a muM range. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.